Manatan helps users learn through video, manga, novels, and YouTube with dictionaries, OCR, flashcards, and spaced repetition.
Manatan
Manatan supports language learning through anime, manga, novels, and EPUBs, with OCR and subtitle lookup.
About Manatan
Manatan is an open-source application for immersion language learning through anime, manga, light novels and EPUBs. It combines playback and reading with OCR for manga and subtitle parsing for video, so on-screen text can be selected and looked up in a dictionary without installing userscripts or configuring a local OCR server by hand. Media progress and learning data can sync across devices, and the same interface is offered on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android and iOS.
Key features
- Built-in OCR for manga, with hover-based selectable text for lookups
- Subtitle parsing with popup dictionary lookups during anime playback
- One-click Anki card generation from anime sentences with sentence audio
- Reads local manga from folders, CBZ/ZIP, EPUB and JPEG XL
- Syncs media progress and learning data across devices
- Supports Mihon, Aniyomi and Aidoku extensions
Best for: Language learners who want to immerse in anime, manga and novels with instant dictionary lookups rather than assembling scripts, browser extensions and local tooling themselves.
Good for
- Open source, with releases listed for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android and iOS
- Aims to remove manual setup of userscripts, OCR tools and command-line configuration
- Linux users can install it through a signed Flatpak repository or a Nix flake
Watch out for
- The iOS app is in public beta and the TestFlight invite link is distributed through the project's Discord server
- The macOS build is unsigned and may be blocked until allowed in Privacy & Security; the Windows build can trigger a SmartScreen prompt
Manatan at a glance
- Website
- github.com/KolbyML/Manatan
- Category
- Mobile Apps › iPhone & iPad Apps
- Type
- Open-source project
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows
- Open source
- Yes · Source code
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Manatan FAQ
How do I get the iOS version?
The iOS app is currently in public beta; the repository directs users to the project's Discord server to find the TestFlight invite link.
Can I read my own manga files?
Yes. Local manga can be read from folders, CBZ/ZIP archives, EPUB files and modern image formats such as JPEG XL.
Does it create Anki cards?
Yes. One-click anime cards can be generated from anime sentences, including sentence audio.
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